Frontal Offset Test Results

• The frontal crash test resulted in scores of Good in structure, head/neck, chest, left leg/foot and the restraint system. The only score the Escape received lower than Good was an Acceptable rating for the right leg/foot. During the test, according to the IIHS-HLDI, "Forces on the right foot were high enough to indicate the possibility of injuries."
  
  

Side Impact Test Results

• The side impact test resulted in an overall rating of Good. All areas of the test were rated Good, except for the pelvis/leg category and the structure category. During the test, the crash test dummy experienced forces equivalent to fracturing a pelvis. Injuries to other body areas were evaluated as low risk.
  
  Head protection was Good for both the driver and rear passenger. The driver's head was protected by the curtain airbag and the seat deployed side airbag and front airbag. The dummy's head did not hit anything during the side impact test. The rear passenger was protected by a curtain airbag that deployed from the roof.
  
  

Rear Impact Test Results

• Although injuries from low-speed rear-impact accidents are rarely severe, they do occur often. The IIHS-HLDI performs tests for head and neck injury probability; in this test, it is performed at 20 miles per hour. If the geometry of the seat will not protect an average-size man (seat-backs/head rest too low), the vehicle is automatically given a rating of Poor. The 2009 Ford Escape was given an overall rating of Good, scoring as high as possible in both the geometry and impact tests.
  
  

Additional Safety Features

• The Ford Escape offers additional safety features, including side airbags for the front and rear passengers, a rollover sensor that will deploy the side airbags if a rollover is detected, electronic stability control and antilock brakes. Daytime running lights are also available as an option.
  
  

Earlier Ford Escape Models

• The 2005 to 2008 models of the Ford Escape received slightly lower scores, including an overall rating of Acceptable by the IIHS-HLDI. In both the earlier models and the 2009 model, crash test dummy movement was well controlled during a frontal crash. It is worth noting that the dummy's head hit the roof during this test.
  
  Injury measurements taken from the head and chest areas indicate there would be a low risk of injuring to these parts of the body during a frontal crash, yet measurements taken on the neck indicate that injuries to the neck would be possible. Measurements taken during this test also indicate that the forces on the lower legs could cause injury to these areas of the body, including the right tibia and both feet.